/*
 * Copyright (c) 2009-2023 jMonkeyEngine
 * All rights reserved.
 *
 * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
 * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
 * met:
 *
 * * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
 *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 *
 * * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
 *   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
 *   documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
 *
 * * Neither the name of 'jMonkeyEngine' nor the names of its contributors
 *   may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
 *   without specific prior written permission.
 *
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
 * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
 * TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
 * PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR
 * CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
 * EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
 * PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR
 * PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF
 * LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING
 * NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
 * SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 */
package com.jme3.plugins.json;

/**
 * A generic element
 * 
 * @author Riccardo Balbo
 */
public interface JsonElement {

    /**
     * Returns the object as a String
     * 
     * @return the string
     */
    public String getAsString();

    /**
     * Returns the object as a JsonObject
     * 
     * @return the JsonObject
     */
    public JsonObject getAsJsonObject();

    /**
     * Returns the object as a float
     * 
     * @return the float
     */
    public float getAsFloat();

    /**
     * Returns the object as an int
     * 
     * @return the int
     */
    public int getAsInt();

    /**
     * Returns the object as a boolean
     * 
     * @return the boolean
     */
    public boolean getAsBoolean();

    /**
     * Returns the object as a JsonArray
     * 
     * @return the JsonArray
     */
    public JsonArray getAsJsonArray();

    /**
     * Returns the object as a Number
     * @return the Number
     */
    public Number getAsNumber();


    /**
     * Returns the object as a JsonPrimitive
     * @return the json primitive
     */
    public JsonPrimitive getAsJsonPrimitive();

    /**
     * Cast this JsonElement to a specific type
     * @return the casted JsonElement
     */
    public <T extends JsonElement> T autoCast();
}
